Nigiri sushi, which originated as Edomae sushi, has now become a representative food of Japan and is loved by many people, but by knowing how to eat it and some precautions, you can enjoy it even more deliciously. This time I won’t know much about how to eat sushi, but I want to enjoy it even more! I want to eat deliciously! For those of you who want to eat sushi, we’ll introduce you to the basics of how to eat sushi and what to keep in mind, so be sure to check it out.
Basics of how to eat sushi and how to eat it more deliciously
Basically, you should eat it in one bite.
It is said that sushi should be eaten in one bite. Edomae sushi is made with sushi rice that spreads gently in your mouth, so if you eat it separately, the effect will be ruined. Also, putting sushi back on the plate with visible biting marks is not good for the eyes. It is ideal and good manners to eat sushi in one bite.
However, women and people with small mouths may find it difficult to eat in one bite. In that case, ask the chef to use shari koma or smaller sushi rice. This will give you a smaller grip on the rice.
Today, in addition to traditional Edomae sushi, there are many other forms of nigiri sushi, including conveyor belt sushi. You can also see sushi with deliberately large sushi and toppings. At popular sushi restaurants, you can eat as you like without worrying too much about etiquette.
Do you eat with chopsticks? Do you grab it with your hands?
When eating sushi, you may wonder whether it’s better to grab it directly with your hands or with chopsticks.
Actually, speaking of sushi etiquette, either is fine.
However, if you don’t want to get your hands dirty, are concerned about hygiene, or don’t have the confidence to eat cleanly with your hands, it may be safer to use chopsticks. However, it is good manners to use chopsticks when eating gari. Just be careful about that.
How to add soy sauce
The method of adding soy sauce to sushi differs between nigiri sushi and gunkanmaki. When making nigiri sushi, the basic rule is to lay the sushi on its side, pick it up with chopsticks, and then dip the toppings in a small amount of soy sauce.
If you put soy sauce on the sushi rice, you will end up adding more soy sauce than necessary, and the sushi rice will spill into the soy sauce dish, which not only looks unsightly but also makes people around you feel uncomfortable. Rice easily absorbs soy sauce, so it can end up containing too much salt, which is not good for your health.
Unlike nigiri sushi, in the case of gunkanmaki, if you lay it on its side, the toppings will overflow and the shape will collapse. Use a gari dipped in soy sauce to spread the soy sauce on top of the toppings, or lightly dip the soy sauce under the seaweed.
Clean your palate with “Gari”
“Gari” is pickled ginger, and at most sushi restaurants, sushi is served with gari.
There is no particular rule regarding when to eat gari, but in addition to its antibacterial properties, gari has a palate-cleansing effect, and if eaten after eating sushi made with strong-flavored fish or fatty fish, it can be harmful to the mouth. It has a refreshing effect, so some people drink it in batches to cleanse their palate.
Even if you don’t eat gari very often, please take this opportunity to try it.
When to eat sushi
Once the sushi is served, eat it as soon as possible. Sushi made with seafood loses its freshness over time.
From a hygiene perspective, this is not desirable. The sushi chefs also take this into consideration and make the sushi quickly.
Want to eat even more deliciously?
It’s not good etiquette, but if you bring the sushi to your mouth with the toppings facing down instead of the sushi and placing it directly on your tongue, you’ll be able to taste the sushi more and enjoy it even more. However, some people say it’s better to have the toppings facing up, so it’s a way of eating that varies depending on your preference. It might be a good idea to try it out first to see which way you like it.
Also, it is good etiquette for advanced people to sit at the counter and watch the sushi chefs make their own sushi while enjoying a conversation with them. If you listen to the recommendations of the day and eat while communicating with others, the taste of sushi will become even more delicious.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to know seasonal topics. You can also use it as a reference when ordering additional items after the omakase course.
Drink etiquette at a sushi restaurant
Drinks that go with sushi include tea, beer, sake, and juice. Nowadays, there are some shops that serve wine.
In terms of etiquette, there are no drinks, including alcohol, that are against etiquette. Basically, you can choose whatever drink you like, but it is best to avoid sweet drinks that will drown out the flavor of the sushi. When ordering sake, we recommend a refreshing and dry one.
Drinks that go well with sushi
Green tea has antibacterial and mouth-refreshing effects, and is said to go well with sushi made with seafood.
Dry sake also softens the sweetness of rice and the odor of seafood, allowing you to enjoy sushi even more. Perfect for those who love alcohol.
sushi and beer combination
sushi and beer. It’s the perfect combination for beer lovers. To make your favorite beer even more delicious, choose a beer that matches the sushi toppings. Basically, it is said that it is better to match the colors. For example, you can use white beer for light-colored fish such as white meat or squid, and dark beer for dark-colored fish. There aren’t many sushi restaurants that carry a wide variety of beers, but if you have the opportunity to choose one, definitely give it a try.
wine that goes well with sushi
Wine is also a drink that can be enjoyed with sushi, but you need to be careful. Generally speaking, people have the impression that “white wine = fish” and tend to drink only white wine. In reality, depending on the compatibility with the fish, white wine may not match the fishy smell of the fish.
Of course, there are some ingredients that go well with white wine, and the ideal is to pair each ingredient with a wine. However, ordering and drinking different wines every time you eat sushi is cumbersome and difficult to do. A recommended method is to order a bottle of mature, soft-tasting red wine with calm acidity and astringency, and continue drinking that red wine.
However, some restaurants do not carry red wine because if it spills on a table or tablecloth, it will be difficult to remove the stain. Red wine is just one way to make sushi more delicious, and you can also enjoy it with white wine. Enjoy sushi and wine while relaxing with your favorite drink!
Things to be careful of when eating sushi
How to place chopsticks
If there is a chopstick rest, it is good etiquette to place your chopsticks on the chopstick rest. If you don’t have a chopstick rest, you can use a soy sauce plate as a chopstick rest. In that case, place only the tips of the chopsticks on the chopsticks.
consideration for smell
In order to enjoy sushi, it is important to pay attention to its smell. Avoid wearing too much perfume. Also, even at restaurants where you can smoke, it is best not to smoke too much in order to enjoy the original taste of sushi. Smoking while eating is strictly prohibited. Whether it’s perfume or cigarettes, the smell will take away the flavor and delicate taste of sushi. It is safest not to apply hair products or body creams with strong fragrances.
Paying attention to odors also includes being considerate of other people in the same space. In order to eat deliciously, it is important to feel comfortable with the people who come to the restaurant.
summary
How was it. The key to etiquette when eating sushi is to avoid doing anything that may disturb the staff or other customers, as sushi restaurants often have counter seats.
It’s best to be considerate of those around you before trying your own way of enjoying yourself. For those who want to enjoy sushi in a more stylish way, we also have special features that introduce sushi etiquette and knowledge for sushi connoisseurs. Please take a look.
